What do you do if you want to switch from teaching to freelancing?

Making the leap from a structured teaching career to the dynamic world of freelancing can be both exciting and daunting. You're considering trading the classroom for the flexibility of self-employment, where the subjects you teach could now be the services you offer. Whether it's consulting, coaching, or creating educational content, transitioning to freelancing requires careful planning and a willingness to embrace a new professional identity. It's about harnessing the skills you've honed in education and repurposing them for a new audience. As you contemplate this change, think about how your teaching expertise can fill gaps in the freelance market.

1 Assess Skills

Before diving into freelancing, take stock of your strengths and how they translate outside the classroom. As a teacher, you've developed a wealth of transferable skills such as communication, organization, and subject matter expertise. Identify which of these skills are most marketable and how they can solve problems for potential clients. For instance, your knack for simplifying complex topics could be invaluable for creating educational materials or offering tutoring services. Reflect on feedback from colleagues and students to pinpoint your unique selling points.

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2 Define Services

Once you've assessed your skills, clearly define the services you'll offer as a freelancer. This could range from educational consulting to writing curriculum or providing online courses. Think about the needs of your target market and how your services can meet those needs. Be specific about what you offer to stand out in the freelancing community. For example, if you excel at curriculum development, consider specializing in creating custom learning plans for homeschooling parents or educational institutions.

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David N.

Private Tutor specializing in English and Admissions
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In my experience, you should focus on a particular age group and not offer too many subjects. I got more leads and became more expert this way. For example, I realised many tutors were offering everything! Choose Maths OR English. Don’t do 7 plus and 11 plus. They require different skills. I also found it very useful to join an agency and always get as many reviews as possible. Of note, the higher I put my hourly fee, the more clients I gained. Be aware that good tutors are hidden by clients! They don’t want to share their secret weapon and also take offence if you are tutoring a child who will be in competition with their child at, say 11 plus. Plenty more to say about this and specific notes on teaching admissions and GCSE. Message me

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3 Set Goals

Setting clear, achievable goals is crucial when transitioning to freelancing. Decide on short-term objectives like creating a portfolio or establishing a client base, and long-term aspirations such as income targets or business growth. These goals will guide your actions and help you stay focused. Remember, freelancing can be unpredictable, so set realistic expectations and be prepared to adapt your goals as you gain more experience in the freelance marketplace.

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4 Build Brand

In freelancing, your personal brand is your reputation and calling card. Develop a professional brand that reflects your expertise and the value you bring to clients. This might include a professional website, business cards, and a strong social media presence. Your brand should communicate your unique approach to education and how it benefits clients. It's also essential to network within freelancing and education circles to build relationships and increase your visibility.

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5 Manage Transition

Transitioning from teaching to freelancing doesn't happen overnight. It often requires juggling both roles until you're established enough to freelance full-time. Plan financially for this transition period, possibly by saving a buffer of funds or starting freelancing as a side gig. Time management becomes even more critical as you balance multiple responsibilities. Prioritize tasks and set a schedule that allows you to maintain quality in both your teaching and freelancing endeavors.

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6 Market Services

Finally, actively market your freelancing services to attract clients. Use online platforms tailored to freelancers to showcase your work, connect with potential clients, and bid on projects. Networking events and social media are also powerful tools for getting the word out about your services. Personalize your outreach by explaining how your background in education makes you uniquely qualified to address clients' needs. Consistent marketing efforts will help you build a client base and establish yourself in the freelancing community.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Brad Carty

Business English & Composition Trainer
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While marketing, branding, mastering social media and SEO are all important, the easiest and best new clients are acquired from referrals. When I was freelance teaching, I usually started with one department in a company or law firm, and then was asked to start also training a different department, or give some students extra training, or even start teaching staff at another branch/location. Thus, one class turned into several classes for the same client. Remember to regularly ask if there are any other people in the company that you can help; you might even end up replacing other teachers when your students start comparing notes with their colleagues (this happened several times over the years).

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What do you do if you want to switch from teaching to freelancing?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Skills

2 Define Services

3 Set Goals

4 Build Brand

5 Manage Transition

6 Market Services

7 Here’s what else to consider

K-12 Education

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What do you do if you want to switch from teaching to freelancing?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Skills

2 Define Services

3 Set Goals

4 Build Brand

5 Manage Transition

6 Market Services

7 Here’s what else to consider

K-12 Education

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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